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Lester set for Epic 5 challenge

Rec and Roll

All systems are go for Jason Lester, the Portland-based triathlete who will be doing the unthinkable - five Ultraman triathlons in five days.

'Everything is awesome,' Lester says. 'I feel very fit and strong. I had an amazing five-day camp to finish off training.'

Lester will be doing 'Epic 5' May 5 to 9 on five different Hawaiian islands: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Kona. Each day, he plans on doing 2.4 miles of swim, 112 miles of bike and 26.2 miles of running.

With sponsors and media attention on board, Lester wants to raise funds to build a sports performance facility for youth on Kona, the 'Big Island.'

'No setbacks, although logistics is what seems to be the hardest,' he says. 'We have a camera crew, several mainland sponsors are on their way - so making it all work was very time consuming.' He says Zoot Sports is going to film the event, with Specialized bikes, The Vitamin Shoppe and his own Ironheads Multisport Racing team as other main sponsors.

Lester, 35, who lost use of his right arm in a bicycling accident as a youth, credits Ironheads coach Dave Ciaverella for preparing him well.

'He came up with the plan and I trust him with my all,' Lester says. 'Without Dave, this would not be possible.'